By: Tater

Title: Lost Without You

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the story idea itself.

Rating: PG13

Summery: This is about the episode that was shown last night. I have never been fond of Riley, and hate him - or really the whole idea of Buffy with Riley. Hell I hate the idea of her with anyone EXCEPT Angel. Anyways, I was not happy when Buffy ran after him thinking she loved him, so 'Instead of Buffy not letting Riley walk away, she goes after Angel'.

Author's Note: I am writing after seeing last night's ep of Buffy, because it makes me sick how she says she loves Riley. I have other stories as well, I would like it very much if you could R/R those. Oh, if you want more to this you must R/R good or bad. And please tell me a better title if you have one.

Chapter One:

Riley and Spike sat talking in his crypt about the young slayer..

"Sometimes I think I go the better deal." Spike says, "Cause even when your with her, your not."

Then he thinks a minute, "Nah, you got the better deal." he says sarcasticly.

"Yeah. I did." Riley said, thinking it was the truth.

"Riley, are you ever going to open your eyes? She doesn't love you."

"Yes she does." Riley responded angrily.

"No she doesn't. She still wants Angel. Your just the rebound guy. She'll never love you because she doesn't have the heart to, he still claims it, and she still lets him. Their story, their love it was disgraceful to the underworld of dark and disgraceful to the light world. I was there when they suffered great pain, and losing each other. I caused some of it! Riley just wake up."

"She does not want some vampire over me. What does he have that I don't?"

"He never hurt her-" Spike was cut off.

"Yes he did, he left her heartbroken."

"Because her mum made him go. Now listen you little weenie. He never hurt her, never cheated on her, never loved another, or wanted another. Didn't have a problem with the fact she could in some cases - hell in most kick his ass. He understood what she was saying without her having to say it. He knew her inside and out. Angel - the bloody pansy- was the only one she ever let her gaurd down to. And his love was so great for her, that after he lost his soul, Angelus still loved her. He couldn't ever kill her. Dawn-"

"Dawn wasn't back then and isn't now."

"Would you just shut-up for a bloody second. Yes, in a way she was. We have the memories, and she sure as hell is real now. Angel loved her as family, and treated her well. He helped her study, played cards with her. Read her books. And if one of the nicknames he had for her she hated, he stoped calling her that. Dawn's approval means a lot to Buffy, and the only boyfriend she has ever approved of was Angel. Not to mention, Angel would have been able to tell that Faith had switched body's with Buffy. Even on the first day they met, he would have been able to tell. They're soul mates, and you - your just a rebound guy that helps sometimes to get rid of the pain. Can't you tell that when you two are having sex, you don't hear her whisper Angel's name instead of yours?"

Riley, now pissed, got up and left the crypt, but not beforing hearing.

"Buffy would rather never have sex again if she could be with Angel, then to have sex with other men who loved her, and could spend days with her. And children Riley, she only would want Angel's and if he wasn't the father, then no children at all."

"You got burned with Angel, and you've been treating Riley like a rebound guy when he's the one that comes around once in a lifetime. You can't just let him walk away. If you love him, or ever loved him, and you think you could still love him and make it past your differences then go get him, but if not let him leave you."

Buffy's eyes were filling with tears, but not for Riley.

"The gang and I have talked, we all think Riley is a much better choice for you then Angel. We don't think we could bear it if you and Angel got together again. And we know you won't, cause you love Riley and we don't have to worry of losing you as a friend to Angel. Now run, and go get him."

Buffy took off running. She made it to her house in ten minutes time. Buffy opened the door to see Willow sitting there with Giles, Tara, Anya, Dawn, and Xander.

"Xander?" Buffy asked.

He showed her his keys. "I drove.. where's Riley?"

"Doesn't matter. Dawn come here."

"This is a very important decision for you to make." she whispered into her ear. "Who do you like better Angel or Riley."

"Angel." She whipsered back without hestation.

"Then pack your bag." Buffy said aloud.

"What?!" Everyone but Dawn exclaimed.

"I am going to get the love of my life back."

Buffy and Dawn ran upstaires leaving everyone cheering.

"Buffy."

"Yeah?" Buffy said rushing around for her things.

"I heard them talking, they said if you went back to Angel they couldn't be your friend. Said they couldn't risk it. Angelus I mean."

Buffy stopped. "I am willing to lose them for Angel. And mom wouldn't stop us, she'll be happy if we are. Are you ready to risk loosing them?"

"For you and Angel yes. But never leave me Buffy." Dawn said.

Buffy grabbed her sister into a fierce huge.

"Never Dawnie, Never. Now finish packing."

They ran down staires together to see their soon to be ex friends standing there.

"How are you going to get Riley? He's leaving the country and we don't know where he's going."

"I'm not getting Riley."

"What?!" Xander asked.

"Xander, what you said to me, you should have said it on graduation. I've been burned with Riley, but Angel's the one that comes around once in a lifetime. I get my mother after the surgery. We'll be up tomorrow after dark."

"Buffy," Giles began, "You can't just leave. We have to discuss this, and there are so many problems with you and Angel having a relationship."

She just looked at Giles. "I love him - he makes me happy and thats all that matters. You guys and either trust me and back me up or we can just end the friendship here. Your choice."

With that they left.

Buffy walked into Spike's crypt.

"Spike!" she yelled.

"Yeah, what do you need luv?"

"You to come with us."

"I didn't do anything, I swear to it."

" No, pack you things, and get into your car, we're going after Angel."

Spike smiled. "I wondered when you'd come around."

Angel Investigation's:

Buffy walked in, with a tired Dawn, and Spike at their side.

"Angel Investigation's we help the- Buffy!" Cordy said leaving Angel office. "Angel, Buffy's here!"

Angel came out. "What is it, what's wrong? Why did you bring bags?"

"Angel I need to talk to you." Buffy looked at Dawn and Spike, they nodded. "There's no easy way to say this. And its out of the blue I know but I still love you. Riley left me a few hours ago after I caught him letting vampires drink him. He said he felt as thought I didn't need him. And he was right. I didn't need him because I only needed you. I have always wanted and needed you."

"Buffy. I- nothing has changed on why we can't. It's been too long. Our lives have changed. You've moved on."

"No, I haven't Angel. I compare everyone to you. And no one even comes close. I never should have let you walk away. We can work through our differences."

Angel thought a moment. He can't, they can't. "Buffy, if that's all. I would like you to leave." With that he turned around and began to walk away - it was almost the hardest thing he'd ever done.

" Dawn and I left our friends to come see you. They'll probably never speak to us again after last night."

"Thats your problem." Angel said harshly.

"Buffy," Spike said with a bit of anger. "Tell him."

Angel's comment pissed him off.

Tears began to slide down Buffy's cheeks. "I'll never forget." she whispered. Spike was the only one she had told that she remembered. The two of them had one strange friendship.

Angel stopped, dead in his tracks and turned around. "What? What did you say?"

His eyes too, were filling with tears. He couldn't have heard right. Could he of?

"I'll never forget Angel, I'll never forget. What we had, what we could have had." Buffy repeated the same exact word she had on the forgotten day.

"Oh god Buffy." Angel said now crying.

TBC...........